Speed management to be reconsulted this year

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) will be reconsulting on speed management to meet the requirements of a new rule that came into effect in October last year.

To ensure safer roads for the community, the Council consulted on proposed speed limit changes across the district between December 2023 and February 2024. These proposals received strong community support, and a Speed Management Plan was finalised and approved by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

However, the introduction of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 brought significant changes to speed management nationwide. The Rule invalidated all Speed Management Plans not implemented before 30 October 2024, meaning Council’s proposed changes — while compliant with the Rule’s technical standards — could not proceed as they were not certified to begin until 15 November 2024.

The Rule also requires certain speed limit reductions implemented after 1 January 2020 to revert to their previous limits as of 1 May 2025. In Central Otago, this only affects Gilling Place at Goldfields Primary School in Cromwell.

In most cases under the new rule schools must have variable speed limits outside the school gates. A variable speed limit lowers the speed during school drop-off and pick-up times. The speed limit reverts to a higher speed limit outside of these times. For example, Goldfields Primary School will be changed to a 30 km/h speed limit during operational hours and a 50 km/h speed limit at all other times.

In the original proposals, most schools were already planned to have variable speed limits. The Council will continue rolling these out under the new Rule, with some modifications to timing and distance parameters. The most significant change is Clyde Primary School, which will be a variable speed limit, rather than the permanent 30 km/h speed limit that was initially proposed.

Sign installations will align with the start of the 2025 school year. However, for schools with gates adjacent to State Highways, such as Tarras, Roxburgh, Alexandra Primary, and St Gerard’s, any speed limit changes will be implemented in collaboration with NZTA to ensure consistency.

“Speed management remains a key tool for improving road safety,” CODC Infrastructure Manager Quinton Penniall said. “Council is committed to working with the community to achieve the best outcomes for the district. The Council intends to reconsult on speed management following the new guidelines, with consultation planned for this year to meet the requirements of the new Rule.”

Councillors were provided with an update on Council’s progress regarding school and Community speed limits at the December meeting. The agenda item is available on: Agenda of Council meeting - Wednesday, 18 December 2024

For more information, including details on proposed school speed limits and maps, please visit: School Zone and Community Speed Limits 2023-24 | Let’s Talk Central Otago.